Liverpool was looking for an improved performance against Crystal Palace. While it started out brightly, the Reds flattered to deceive once more against Crystal Palace.

Rickie Lambert was given a rare start and it proved a masterstroke as he found the back of the net in the second minute. It was a pair of former Southampton players combining for the goal. Adam Lallana played the ball over the defense and Lambert did well to control and then slot past Julian Speroni.

That would be the only joy Liverpool experienced.

Dwight Gayle was on target in the 17th minute. Yannick Bolasie, who was rampant throughout, fired a shot off of the post and Gayle was there to tap-in. Liverpool may have thought they were headed for a point, but Palace scored twice in a three minute span late to seal the win.

Bolasie was involved again as he picked out Joe Ledley, who cooly slotted the ball between Simon Mignolet‘s legs in the 78th minute. Palace pushed the advantage to two goals from a superb free kick from Mile Jedinak. From 25 yards out, he found the top corner to cap off a fine display from the home side.

Liverpool left Selhurst Park wondering what could have been and in a desperate search of answers.

Other BPL Results

1. Costa, Fabregas vital once more– Chelsea may very well have hit the jackpot in the summer transfer window and the pay out could be a Premier League title.

Diego Costa scored his 11th on the season to open the scoring for the Blues in a 2-0 win over West Brom. Oscar played in a cross for Costa to chest down and then volley past Ben Foster in the 11th minute. Cesc Fabregas then added his 10th assist in 12 games, the fastest anyone’s reached the double-digit assist mark, 25 minutes in. He played the ball on the ground from a corner into the box to EdenHazard, who took a touch and fired past Foster.

Claudio Yacob received a straight red for a tackle on Costa in the 29th minute, which helped the Blues take their foot off the gas and ease to victory.

2. Spurs win it late– Hull grabbed an early lead, but were ultimately undone by a red card in a 2-1 loss to Tottenham.

Jake Livermore put the Tigers in front in the eighth minute with a strike from 20 yards out. His right footed effort flew into the top corner. However, the wheels fell of for the Tigers five minutes after the second half began. Gaston Ramirez was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Jan Vertonghen in an off the ball incident.

Tottenham took advantage in the 61st minute. Christian Eriksen‘s free kick came back off the post and Harry Kane was on hand to turn it into the empty net. With time running out, Hull looked like they’d hold out for a gutsy point. Instead, it was Eriksen, who found the winner. His low strike from just outside the box beat Allan McGregor in the 90th minute.

3. Arsenal dominate, lose against Man United– Arsenal put in a shift that has typified the side in the last few years. The Gunners bossed possession and chance creation, but struggled to find the final touch until it was too late.

Manchester United’s opener did come through some fortune. Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny collided, which ultimately forced the keeper out of the game. Antonio Valencia lashed the ball back into the 18-yard box and while on the ground Gibbs stuck a leg out to try to make a block, but instead turned the ball into his own net. With Arsenal chasing the game and committing more numbers forward, the Red Devils hit on the counter. Angel Di Maria picked out Wayne Rooney, who eventually lifted the ball over an on-rushing DamianMartinez, who made his Premier League debut.

Although it came in a loss, Olivier Giroud‘s presence was certainly welcome in his first minutes back since a leg break. He capped off his return with a fine finish to pull a goal back.He let the ball roll across his body and then fired to the top corner where David De Gea could get his hands to the ball, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.

4. Man City top Swans– Swansea City took an early lead, but Manchester City proved too strong in the end.

Wilfried Bony tallied in the eighth minute, giving him five on the season. The goal pushed him into the lead as the Swans all-time scorer in the Premier League with 21.

However, Man City equalized just 11 minutes later. Jesus Navas teed up Stefan Jovetic with the cross and the striker made no mistake firing past Lukasz Fabianski. Man City found the winner in the 62nd minute. Yaya Toure latched onto Fernandinho‘s backheel and struck goalwards coming a minute after Fabianski saved low drive from the Ivorian.

5. Everton, Burnley find wins– Everton were able to slow down a strong West Ham side with goals in either half. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the 26th minute for the Toffees for his fifth of the season. However, West Ham would fightback scoring 11 minutes into the second half. Mauro Zarate‘s shot took a deflection off of Phil Jagielka, which then beat Tim Howard. The home side was able to find the winner in the 73rd minute. Leon Osman tapped in from close-range following a cross from Samuel Eto’o.

Burnley was able to secure all three points over Stoke City by the same 2-1 scoreline. Danny Ings‘ double in a minute span lifted visitors to the win. Ings scored the opener in the 12th minute after finding the back of the net after Asmir Begovic parried Ashley Barnes‘ effort on goal. Just moments later, Ings scored from six yards out from Michael Kightly‘s cross. Stoke pulled one back in the 32nd minute through Jonathan Walters. The Stoke forward nodded in a fine cross from Bojan Krkic.

6. Newcastle sends QPR to the bottom– Queens Park Rangers were promoted back to the Premier League for this season. However, it seems they are on a one way trip back to whence they came — better known as the Sky Bet Championship. The loss sends them to the bottom three, although they still have time to eventually recover and find survival.

Newcastle know a thing or two about bouncing back as they’ve climbed all the way to fifth in the table. The Magpies were made to wait, but their frustration turned to joy. Moussa Sissoko scored the lone goal of the game in the 78th minute.

7. No separation– Leicester City and Sunderland both created opportunities, but had to settle for a scoreless draw. A lack of goals has been a symptom, particularly for the Foxes, who haven’t scored since October 4th in a 2-2 draw with Burnley. The Jozy Altidore minutes at Sunderland watch was at zero as he was an unused substitute. January can’t come soon enough for the American.

8. More on Monday– Aston Villa will welcome a streaking Southampton side to Villa Park on Monday.